November has been interesting this year since this is usually a time of cold days and slow business. This year has been very different. The weather is fantastic (even though we need snow in the mountains) the days are in the 60s. In addition business has been brisk. Hagerman real estate has been very busy and all of the offices in town have had a very successful November, my hats off to all of you who really produced this month. Congratulations to all. For those of you bird hunters the birds are slowly starting to arrive to their winter grounds and it should be a great year for ducks and geese so make your reservations now at Hagerman Valley Inn for that hunting get-away.

The mornings in the Hagerman Valley this time of year are very special for those that get out doors at sunrise. The geese are flying and making clatter heading out for their breakfast. This morning I was blessed to have a herd of deer crossing the road the same time I went by. My car never touched one them but it was both a thrill for myself and the deer. Yes, the Hagerman Valley is truly special and people fortunate to live here are very blessed.  Have a wonderful day.

We have had a great year thus far in the Hagerman Valley. Our little Valley has once again been discovered and people are choosing to live in this wonderful paradise.  Stop into 1000 Springs Realty and let us show you the valley we call home.  While visiting be sure to stop and visit Thousand Springs Winery and B & B. it is a real treat and you will really enjoy talking to Bernard and Marguerite. 

The 21^st annual Thousand Springs Festival of the Arts will be held on Sept. 28^th and 29^th, 2013. With over 4,000 guests having traveled off the beaten path to attend last year’s event, organizers are sure the festival is only going to grow in popularity.

Malad Gorge is a large grassy park with mature shade trees, offering scenic pathways to stunning overlooks which include the Devil’s Punchbowl, a swirling cauldron of white water plunging through the narrow cliffs of the gorge.

Many of the approximately 70 artisans who have participated in the festival are nationally recognized. All of the work is quality, in addition to being affordable.

So, if you missed that certain kind of pottery, glasswork or vintage-designed clothing that you always meant to buy but postponed, you’ll have another chance this year to grab that special artwork.

As always, the festival will feature two full days of live music. It includes jazz, acoustical guitar, blues and more. The sound system pumps music throughout the park so that you can enjoy it while you’re sitting in front of the sound stage, sitting under the shade trees, enjoying a meal of local food specialties such as Basque cuisine, authentic Mexican, barbecued pork or locally raised trout, or sharing a glass of wine or beer with friends, or perusing the crafts and information booths.

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There will be kids activities and lots of demonstrations from skilled craftsmen and artisans. You can take a canoe ride or a hay ride and enjoy the beauty of Ritter Island, which many Idahoans consider simply to be the most beautiful spot in the entire state.

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There will be kids activities and lots of demonstrations from skilled craftsmen and artisans. You can take a hay ride and enjoy the beauty of Malad Gorge State Park.

During the past few years when the real estate industry was in the trenches our Hagerman area stood strong.  Sure things slowed down and prices fell a bit but we were very fortunate since we weathered the storm better than a lot of areas. This summer things are starting to pickup pretty well and we have been blessed to have had a very good year for our company, friends and clients here in the Hagerman Valley. This proved to me we live in a wonderful place. We have great weather and many outdoor opportunities from fishing, hiking, hunting, birding, boating, rafting, and much more. Last night we had a very rare rain storm and high winds. A lot of trees fell along with the front of the old Owsley Grocery Store. What was amazing about our small town is you saw neighbors, volunteer fireman and many others with saws, backhoes, etc. stepping up and helping their neighbors without compensation but the knowledge of helping their community.  This is what the Hagerman Valley is all about. 

” A blast on the grass is returning to Hagerman”
Friday, September 20
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm BBQ – City Park
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm Boise State Football televised in the City Park
10:00 pm – ? Adult egg hunt, bring your flashlight. Prizes, lots of fun. City Park

Saturday, September 21
7:00 am – 11:00 am Annual Breakfast at the Hagerman Senior and Community Center
8:00 am – 10:00 am Registration opens in the park
10:00 am – 6:00 pm Art show / Sale and food vendors open. MV Antique Tractor Pullers Display
10:00 am – 5:00 pm Great fun and entertainment, Rock & Roll music in the park
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Fun run with cash prizes
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm Demos – restoration. painting, motors, etc. Come and get some new ideas.
5:00 pm Raffle Winners and Awards Ceremony 0 in the park followed by a State Street Cruise
7:00 pm End of show – Thank you for coming.
7:00 pm Time to enjoy dinner at one of our several great restaurants and maybe spend the night at one of the lodging places in town.

While in Hagerman be sure and check out some or our Real Estate in the valley that is on the market.

Appraisals Catching Up to Rising Home Values

Daily Real Estate News | Thursday, May 16, 2013

In recent months, real estate professionals have had to hold their breath as they waited for an appraisal on a property to come back. Would it be lower than the agreed-upon selling price — and by how much?

Many real estate professionals have blamed a high number of derailed transactions on low-ball appraisals.

But now the industry is noticing a change in appraised values: Appraisals are getting more in line with the agreed upon selling price, CNNMoney reports.

Appraisers are valuing homes at or above their selling prices as home prices nationwide climb and inventories of homes decrease, says Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of REALTORS®.

For example, in Wallingford, Wash., real estate pro Michael Ackerman told CNNMoney that he was concerned a transaction would fall apart when a buyer agreed to pay $755,000 for a home since other comparable homes in the area had sold for $690,000.

“Everybody’s jaws dropped” when the appraised value came in at the full, agreed-upon selling price,” says Ackerman.

In some cases, appraisals are even coming in higher — which was practically unheard of just a few months ago. For example, real estate pro Cara Ameer in Jacksonville Beach, Fla., says with home prices in the area rising 15 percent over the past year, she was concerned the appraisal on a two-bedroom townhouse wouldn’t reflect the current rise. A buyer offered to pay $5,000 above the $189,000 asking price. The appraisal came in above the selling price, Ameer says.

Source: “Home appraisals no longer derailing sales,” CNNMoney (May 15, 2013)

Real Estate in the Hagerman area has been picking up at a steady pace. With great prices and record low-interest rates it is a perfect time to make that awaited move to Hagerman.

There is some great stuff in the works for Hagerman, come on down and look at the new monument on the North end of Hagerman. It is truly a show piece that the community can really be proud of.  Thanks to Bill Jones of Hagerman for giving the community a gift to last generations. The ribbon cutting will be in June so watch for information.

The Hagerman Chamber is sponsoring the 25th Army National Guard Band for an outdoor concert in the City Park on June 28th at 7:30 pm. prior to the concert from 5:00 pm to 7:00pm the Hagerman Senior Center will be having a fund-raiser with a good ol’ BBQ.  There will be various food and beverage vendors in the park. The concert will be followed by a great Fire Works Display paid for by the Hagerman Chamber and operations provided by the Hagerman Fire Dept.

See you in Hagerman.

Congratulations to Bernard and Marguerite Janes who recently purchased 9 acres of pure beauty on the Snake River in Hagerman. We wish them the best in their new venture Thousand Springs Winery Bed and Breakfast. This place is for the couple that really wants something special in the Hagerman Valley you need to take a look and it would also make a great place for that family reunion. Their web site is: http://thousandspringswinery.com/

There was an awesome article in the June issue of Sunset Magazine, living in the west. The local business community has already seen a response to the article and Southern Idaho Tourism is getting overrun with inquires. Many thanks go out to Sunset Magazine. There is also an article in Images Magazine about the Hagerman area. Our little oasis is getting well known. We welcome you to make this your home.